With four wins and four defeats in league and cup, it’s been something of a bumpy road for Felixstowe & Walton so far this season.

Next up for The Seasiders is Grays Athletic in The Buildbase FA Trophy this weekend and fans at The Goldstar Ground can be excused for perhaps not knowing quite what to expect.

Following the defeat at home to Soham Town Rangers on Tuesday night, joint manager Ian Watson told Seasiders TV, “Tonight it just wasn’t good enough, Soham have played us off the park.”

He went on to apologise to fans, adding, “Our community is our fans and tonight we let them down.”

It’s true that Felixstowe’s Jack Ainsley had an effort come off the post and two of Soham’s goals took deflections, but there is no denying the visitors their three points from a game they fully deserved to win.

What is perplexing is how the performance against Romford last weekend was so encouraging but was followed by something very different with essentially the same line up and formation just three days later against Soham.

Despite any disappointment, Watson did finish on a positive note, admitting, “There’s still good players in that dressing room.”

And so attention turns to this FA Trophy match against Grays, who currently sit mid-table in The Bostik North with two wins, two draws and two defeats under their belts.

Manager Jamie Stuart brings with him plenty of experience, having represented England at under-21 level and also having played at Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Southend, Bury and Wimbledon.

The lesson it seems everyone at Felixstowe is learning – that’s fans, players and management alike – is that there are no easy games in The Bostik North. A cliche I know!

So where does this leave Felixstowe & Walton at this early stage of the season?

Talking to fans, it seems that most expect to finish perhaps mid table.

Out of The FA Cup, however, does mean that everybody at the club would love a good cup run elsewhere. That can start at home this weekend.